In the sanctuary, the Pilgrimage Hall was of paramount importance.
In the past, Elder Huang—an Imperial-level cultivator—had always been stationed there, assisted by four Saint Envoys of the Demon King Realm. But since the demonic qi had only just reawakened yesterday, Elder Huang Zhufeng was still stabilizing his cultivation within the Blessed Land Grotto-Heaven and would not assume his post for some time.
For now, the Pilgrimage Hall was defended by only the four Demon King–level Saint Envoys. Ye Yu followed the envoy guarding the entrance straight to the heart of the hall. After sizing up the four demon tribesmen before the doors, he snapped his fingers. Using the Divine Mind Control Technique, he seized control of all four and ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ issued his command within their minds.
Instantly, they each produced a small bronze token. Fitting them together, they pressed the composite into the Pilgrimage Hall’s grand stone doors. With a rumble, the great doors slowly opened. One envoy stepped forward, retrieved a cultivation manual, and handed it to Ye Yu.
He lowered his gaze and saw only a single character emblazoned on the cover, yet it exuded overwhelming authority:
“Di.”
Ye Yu stored it in his Ring of Holding and turned to leave—this was no place to study new techniques face-to-face amid so many eyes; he would return later to examine it in peace. Indeed, this journey had been astonishingly smooth!
Just as Ye Yu allowed himself a moment’s relief, a fierce shout rang out behind him: “Everyone, halt!”
Ye Yu stopped and turned. Floating above them was an elderly man with yellow hair, eyes blazing with anger—none other than Elder Huang Zhufeng, charged with guarding the Pilgrimage Hall.
“How could this half-step Emperor-level cultivator arrive so soon?” Ye Yu thought. The envoys had been told it would take Elder Huang time to stabilize his realm. Had he discovered Ye Yu already? He narrowed his eyes. Though Ye Yu, at the late Demon King Realm, feared no half-step Emperor in direct combat, here in the sanctuary the odds were far less favorable—other elders and dozens of envoys would surely join the fray.
As Ye Yu’s mind raced for an escape, Elder Huang Zhufeng snapped his fingers and barked at the four envoys accompanying Ye Yu: “You four idiots! Neglecting your post at the Pilgrimage Hall—where do you think you’re going?”
Only now did Ye Yu realize the five Saint Envoys around him were still under his control, obediently following in a perfect line. Since Elder Huang had spoken, it was awkward to keep them trailing behind. With a thought, he released his command, and the four envoys returned to guard the hall, bowing apologetically to Elder Huang—but his expression remained dark.
In a flash, Elder Huang stood before Ye Yu. “I’ve never seen you before—are you new here?”
Ye Yu bowed his head slightly. “Yes. Elder Qiao Wensong brought me to the sanctuary.”
At the mention of Qiao Wensong, Elder Huang’s frostiness thawed—he and Qiao had been comrades for years. “If Old Qiao sent you, then there’s no problem. Go on—when you see him again, give him my regards.”
“I will, of course!” Ye Yu replied and resumed his departure.
Elder Huang hurried to the side of the Pilgrimage Hall and saluted into the air. “My Lord of the Hall, all has proceeded as you wished; I’ve released him.”
From the shadows emerged a young woman of average height but bearing an inexplicable nobility. As head of the Pilgrimage Hall, she had sensed the doors opening and intended to stop Ye Yu and the envoys—but then she heard the hallmaster’s mental transmission and changed course, ordering his release.
She glanced at the four returning envoys. “Instantly seizing control of another’s mind—techniques like that are as rare in the Six Realms as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. As far as I know, only two methods exist. To think someone would use it here in our sanctuary—how intriguing.”
Elder Huang frowned. “Then why did you not let me keep him here?”
She waved her hand dismissively. “Never mind—better not to create extra trouble. Qiao Wensong has fallen, likely at this youth’s hands. You may not be his match. If he wants that manual, let him have it—it’s of little use anyway.”
With that, her form flickered and vanished. Elder Huang’s eyes snapped wide, fists clenched.
“Qiao Wensong is dead? How could he die... Why?”
Blood-red, he stared after Ye Yu’s departing back. Though he could not fathom why the hallmaster had not intervened personally, a friend’s death could not go unavenged. If this youth was responsible, he would hunt him down without end.
Elsewhere, Ye Yu stepped beyond the sanctuary and immediately used the Spirit-Ghost Formation Diagram to return to the Peacock Clan’s territory. Nangong Jingtang rushed forward. “Well? Did it succeed? Any surprises?”
“No real danger,” Ye Yu replied, drawing the manual from his Ring of Holding. He briefly described its wondrous promise—that it could help one forge their own Dao to ascend to the Demon Emperor Realm.
Nangong Jingtang looked baffled; she could scarcely believe such a manual existed.
“I learned of it from Qiao Wensong’s memories,” Ye Yu continued. “It should be genuine. If you wish, you can read it first.”
She shook her head. “No—let me leave it to you. Reaching Demon Emperor Realm isn’t important to me; what matters is having you by my side.”
Her eyes shone with love, and Ye Yu smiled. He opened the manual—but to his astonishment, every page was blank.
“Nothing at all?” Nangong Jingtang asked. “Then why demand ten million contribution points?”
Ye Yu frowned. On the blank page, a tiny black dot appeared. It grew steadily larger—and at that moment, dark clouds fully obscured the sky.
